MANY Inverclyde people have good reason to be grateful to Eric Gallagher of Cardwell Nursery Garden Centre, who, sadly, passed away last week.

Eric made Cardwell one of the best in Britain. Indeed, garden centre bosses from England often visited Lunderston Bay and copied his ideas.

He provided full-time employment to 90 people who, like his customers, rewarded him with loyalty, and he quietly did a lot of invaluable work for good causes.

An avid Tele reader, Eric often took action when he read about vandalism to local projects, dispatching his tradesman to make repairs but never seeking publicity for it.

Gardening competitions and initiatives were given crucial sponsorship, as were local groups and sports teams. Customers threw countless coins into Cardwell’s fountain to be donated to local charities, who also benefited from Eric’s generosity.

Cardwell is a mecca for gardening enthusiasts from around the country. It is among Scotland’s top visitor attractions, nestling between tree-covered hills and one of the best views in the world over the Clyde.

Eric combined green fingers with a shrewd business brain, but never rested on his laurels.

You could rarely visit the centre without spotting him on vigilant patrol, always determined to keep making improvements.

Indeed, he widened Cardwell’s appeal to include people who never even go near a lawn mower. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas, for example, without a visit.

Eric cultivated his hobby into a flourishing company — in spectacular fashion.